Posts Tagged ‘Conley Swofford Media’

Two men in New Jersey and another in Chicago have filed lawsuits against Subway claiming their 12-inch sandwiches were allegedly 11 inches.

A mediator has been tapped to handle the complaints, and Subway this month promises to redouble its efforts to “ensure consistency and correct length in every sandwich served”.

Whether the plaintiffs in the Subway suits end up with anything like extra coupons for their complaining remains to be seen. But, one thing is for certain; this type of “negative” news results in free “advertising” for Subway and will likely add up to more “dough” in the company’s cash registers as a result. Many consumers will simply see the word Subway and get hungry for a foot-long (or less).

Negative news is not something for which PR departments pray. But, it’s something for which they plan. And, it’s always an opportunity to make lemonade out of lemons.

In the words of the famous circus owner PT Barnum, “There’s no such thing as bad publicity”. Or, as Oscar Wilde put it, “The only thing worse than being talked about is not being talked about.”

Do you now have visions of an Italian B.M.T.? Will you and your friends pick Subway for lunch just to see if your sandwich measures up? The odds are likely in Subway’s favor. The power of a company with a positive company brand and smart PR team.